January 24, 2001

Paddle club gets in the swim of water rescuing

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
       Even without any wind, waves or cold water, rescuing an overturned kayaker in the comfort of a heated swimming pool is a tricky proposition.
      But practicing in a safe environment how to right the boat, drain out water and assist a paddler back in is the first step to mastering the potentially life-saving techniques of assisted rescue.
      Preparing mentally and physically for that unexpected dunk requires practice. Securing paddles, stabilizing the boats and using a pump to remove water are just a few of the steps to take after an unexpected dunk.
      Three members of the Cherry Capital Paddle America Club led eight participants through these steps at a seminar on assisted rescue Sunday evening at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. The seminar was the first of the club's winter series of indoor clinics on different aspects of kayaking, a service the club has offered for the past three years to promote safe and responsible paddling.
      "It is good for people to get exposure to rescue techniques in a safe environment," said Dave Braun, vice president of the Cherry Capital Paddle America Club. "Rescue techniques are an essential skill for everyone and we encourage everyone to practice them. I've gone over in 40 degree water and these techniques really helped."
      Unfamiliarity with rescue techniques has limited the kayaking ventures of Jody Bennett and Rob Luoma of Traverse City. While they have traveled as far away as Colorado and North Carolina to paddle over the past five summers, they always kayak on calm waters in optimal weather conditions because they did not feel confident to help each other if one or both of them tipped over.
      Attending the assisted rescue class was their first step in learning to handle themselves in areas that may have potentially rougher water, such as the Grand Traverse Bay or Lake Michigan.
      "It's always nice to know some of the steps to do in a rescue," said Bennett, who took turns as both rescuer and rescuee. "The hardest part about the rescue is pulling yourself up into your boat."
      With two summers of kayaking under her belt, Dana Powell of Traverse City also came to the assisted rescue class to gain confidence on the water. So far, she has kept her paddling to small lakes that do not have wind, waves or other boat traffic to worry about. This summer she hopes to kayak on bigger lakes or the Bay.
      "I learned a lot tonight because I was always afraid to roll over," Powell said. "I would like to go out on different water and now I feel I have some understanding of what to do."
      While plunking kayaks in a swimming pool and deliberately flipping them may seem like a strange idea, it is a necessary step in safety training. With the craze of kayaking especially popular locally, educating paddlers about safety and rescue techniques is paramount. The Cherry Capital Paddle America Club is taking a lead role locally by offering both winter and summer classes.
      "Kayaks are very unstable boats generally, not as stable as larger boats," said Dick Flowers, a member of the Cherry Capital Paddle America Club and a certified instructor with the American Canoe Association. "It is part of their duty and part of their curse."
      This instability can topple anyone from an inexperienced paddler to an experienced one in adverse boating conditions.
      "Wind and waves and other boats can be a danger locally," Flowers noted. "Wind comes up so fast, very frequently it can be a surprise."
      "It is important to pay attention to the weather and not paddle beyond skill and ability."
      The Cherry Capital Paddle America Club's seminar topic for February is Eskimo Rolls and will be held at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa's swimming pool. March will feature a discussion and demonstration of safety equipment, clothing and equipment at Salamander's. The club's website, www.cherry-capital.com/ccpac/, has more information on dates and times.